Department:
The Museum Proper
Replica or Original:
Not a Replica
On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:
On Display
Primary Material:
Ceramics
Medium:
Figurine
Dimensions:
7.5" x 10" x 14"
Classification/Category:
Furnishings
Specific Classification:
Figurine
Notable Signatures,
Inscriptions, and/or Markings:
Donated by:
Unknown
Accession Number
1993.019.001
Artifact Date:
Unknown
Unknown
Artifact Era/Dynasty:
Unknown
Creator:
Chinese
Creator Ancestry:
Guan Yu (162-219) is one of the most well-known figures in ancient Chinese history. He is a major character in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a semi-historical novel which outlines and romanticizes the events of the Three Kingdoms period between 220 and 280 CE. Guan Yu was a powerful warrior and general of his time, meeting and fighting alongside his long-time leader and friend Liu Bei during the Yellow Turban Uprising of 184-204 CE.
During an attack from rival ruler Cao Cao, Guan Yu was captured alongside members of Liu Bei's family. Following the attack, Yu believed that his friend was dead. Therefore, Yu joined forces with Cao Cao and was made a General. Guan Yu displayed his military might to Cao Cao by personally killing a rival regional leader and sending his head to Cao Cao as proof. However immediately afterwards upon hearing that Liu Bei was alive, Guan Yu left Cao Cao's service to return to his friend leaving behind a farewell letter. Yu lost his life in service to Liu Bei in 219 CE, when he was captured in an ambush and executed by the forces of Eastern Wu.
Guan Yu is worshiped as a god by many Chinese people, particularly within Southern China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Business owners place shrines to him within their stores to attract wealth. His worship as a god extends into Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. His great deeds as outlined in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms has embroidered his legacy in the fabric of history, marking him as one of the most well known characters in the Three Kingdoms period.
Artifact Date:
Unknown
Artifact Era/Dynasty:
Unknown
Creator:
Unknown
Creator Ancestory:
Chinese
Catalogue Entry
Online References:
Zhou, R. (2021, August 4). Guanyu, A Famous Ancient General in Three Kingdoms. China Highlights - Since 1998! https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/china-history/guan-yu.htm
Department:
The Museum Proper
On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:
On Display
Replica or Original:
Not a Replica
A small statue in the likeliness of Guan Yu, a military general serving under Liu Bei.
一個樣貌與劉備手下的將軍，關羽，相似的小雕像。
Listen
Classification/Category:
Furnishings
Specific Classification:
Figurine
Notable Signatures,
Inscriptions, and/or Markings: